Metal hose reel water system

ABSTRACT

An inlet conduit assembly for a hose reel assembly includes a clip assembly that is structured to be accessible from the outer side of the frame assembly. The clip assembly is structured to be operated without the use of tools. The clip assembly, essentially, prevents the inlet conduit assembly from being moved axially once installed. In this configuration, a user may quickly and easily actuate the clip assembly to release or engage the inlet conduit assembly. Thus, a user may quickly and easily remove the inlet conduit assembly.

This application claims priority under 35 U.S.C. §119(e) to U.S.Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 61/002,997, filed Nov. 14, 2007entitled Metal Hose Reel Water System.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

This invention relates to hose reels and, more specifically, to an inletassembly that may be easily accessed.

2. Background Information

A hose reel typically includes a portable frame assembly that supports abasket assembly. The basket assembly has a central barrel and two endhubs. The basket assembly is structured to have a hose wound thereaboutand is rotatably coupled to the frame assembly. The basket assembly alsoincludes one or more conduits structured to couple an external hose tothe basket assembly hose. One conduit, the basket assembly conduit, hasan inlet end disposed along the axis of rotation of the basket assemblyand includes a distal end that extends through the barrel body so thatthe basket hose may be coupled thereto. The basket assembly conduitrotates with the basket. A second conduit, the inlet conduit, providesthe connection with the external supply hose. The inlet conduit has afirst end and a second end. The second end is structured to be disposedwithin the basket assembly conduit inlet end and is disposed along theaxis of rotation of the basket assembly. The inlet conduit first endextends from the basket assembly, and may extend from the frameassembly, and is structured to be coupled to the external hose.Typically, the inlet conduit first end extends at generally a rightangle to the inlet conduit second end. The inlet conduit second end isdisposed within the basket conduit thereby creating a passage for waterextending from the external hose, through the inlet conduit, through thebasket assembly conduit and into the basket assembly hose. To resistwater leakage, the inlet conduit second end typically includes one ormore resilient O-rings structured to engage the inner surface of thebasket assembly conduit.

When the basket assembly hose is being wound about the barrel, thebasket assembly conduit rotates with the basket about the axis ofrotation and the inlet conduit remains substantially stationary. In thisconfiguration, the O-rings are subject to wear and tear as the O-ringsare the elements at the interface between the inlet conduit and thebasket assembly conduit. As such, a hose reel is typically structured toallow a user to separate the inlet conduit and the basket assemblyconduit by allowing the inlet conduit to be removed. Once removed, theuser can access the inlet conduit O-rings for replacement. The hosereel, however, must also include a device for maintaining the inletconduit and the basket assembly conduit in place during normal usage.

Various coupling devices are known in the prior art. Initially, thecoupling devices were not structured to allow the user to separate theinlet conduit from the basket assembly conduit. Such coupling deviceswere typically snap clips structured to couple the inlet conduit to thehose reel frame assembly and substantially restrict the motion of theinlet conduit. As manufacturers learned that users desired to replacedamaged O-rings, removable clips came into use. These clips, however,have been disposed in difficult to access locations, e.g., between abasket assembly hub and the frame assembly. Such coupling devicestypically required the use of two hands and/or the use of tools todisengage.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

An inlet conduit assembly for a hose reel assembly as recited in theclaims below includes a clip assembly that is structured to beaccessible from the outer side of the frame assembly. Further, the clipassembly is structured to be operated without the use of tools. In thisconfiguration, a user may quickly and easily actuate the clip assemblyto release or engage the inlet conduit. Thus, a user may quickly andeasily remove the inlet conduit so that the O-rings may be replaced orfor other reasons. Further, when the user wished to install the inletconduit, the installation is also easily accomplished.

In one embodiment, the clip assembly includes a pivoting clip bodyhaving a clip structure that is, preferably, two pincer-like fingers.The body is coupled to the hose reel frame assembly and structured topivot. The clip structure fingers extend in the same general plane thatthe clip body pivots in. The inlet conduit, which is preferably acircular tube, includes a retaining clip groove extending at leastpartially circumferentially thereabout. When the inlet conduit is fullyinserted into the basket assembly conduit, the retaining clip groove isdisposed in the plane of the clip body rotation. Thus, the clip body maybe pivoted between a first position, wherein the clip structure does notengage the inlet conduit body retaining clip groove, and a secondposition, wherein the clip structure engages the inlet conduit bodyretaining clip groove. When the clip structure engages the inlet conduitbody retaining clip groove, the inlet conduit is, essentially, preventedfrom being moved axially. That is, when the clip structure engages theinlet conduit body retaining clip groove the inlet conduit and thebasket assembly conduit form a passage from the lateral side of the hosereel to a basket surface outlet.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

A full understanding of the invention can be gained from the followingdescription of the preferred embodiments when read in conjunction withthe accompanying drawings in which:

FIG. 1 is an isometric view of a hose reel assembly.

FIG. 2 is a side cross-sectional view of an inlet conduit assemblycoupled to a hose reel.

FIG. 3 is an exploded isometric view of an inlet conduit assembly.

FIG. 4 is a front cross-sectional view of a clip assembly.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

As shown in FIG. 1, a hose reel assembly 10 includes a frame assembly 12and a basket assembly 14. The frame assembly 12 is structured torotatably support the basket assembly 14. The frame assembly 12 is,preferably, portable and includes a pair of wheels 16. Preferably, theframe assembly 12 includes a plurality of members 18 forming a frame 20,22 on each lateral side of the basket assembly 14. The frames 20, 22 areheld in a spaced relation by additional frame members 18. The areabetween the frames 20, 22 defines the frame assembly inner side 24. Theother side of the frames 20, 22 defines the frame assembly outer side26, or lateral sides.

The basket assembly 14 includes a barrel 30, two hubs 32, 34, and abasket assembly conduit 36. The basket assembly 14 is structured tosupport a basket assembly hose 38. The barrel 30 is, preferably, acylindrical body 40 having an outer surface 42. The barrel 30,preferably, has a diameter several times larger than the diameter of thebasket assembly hose 38. The basket assembly hubs 32, 34 are eachdisposed on, and are coupled to, a lateral side of the barrel 30. Thebasket assembly hubs 32, 34 are further rotatably coupled to the frameassembly 12. The hubs 32, 34 define the usable storage space for thebasket assembly hose 38 about the barrel 30. The basket assembly 14 isrotatably coupled to the frame assembly 12 and has an axis of rotationextending generally along the longitudinal axis of the barrel body 40.The axis of rotation of the basket assembly 14 is typically horizontaland typically extends laterally relative to the frame assembly 12.

As shown in FIG. 2, the barrel 30 is also substantially hollow. Thebasket assembly conduit 36 includes a preferably cylindrical, hollow,L-shaped body 44, an inlet end 46 and an outlet end 48. The basketassembly conduit body 44 also includes an axially extending portion 49and a radially extending portion 51. The basket assembly conduit body 44is disposed substantially within the basket assembly conduit body 44with the basket assembly conduit body axially extending portion 49 beingdisposed substantially along the axis of rotation of the basket assembly14. The basket assembly conduit body radially extending portion 51extends through the barrel outer surface 42. The basket assembly conduitoutlet end 48 is disposed at the outer end of the basket assemblyconduit body radially extending portion 51 and is structured to becoupled to the basket assembly hose 38. That is, the basket assemblyconduit outlet end 48 preferably includes threads or another such hosecoupling device. The basket assembly conduit inlet end 46 is disposed atthe distal end of the basket assembly conduit body axially extendingportion 49 and is located at, or adjacent to, a lateral side of thebarrel 30.

The basket assembly 14 further includes an inlet conduit assembly 50that includes a generally cylindrical, elongated body 52 and a clipassembly 54. The inlet conduit assembly body 52 has a first end 56, asecond end 58, and a retaining clip groove 60. The retaining clip groove60 extends at least partially circumferentially about the inlet conduitbody 52. The inlet conduit body first end 56 preferably includes about aninety degree bend. The inlet conduit body first end 56 is structured tobe coupled to an external hose (not shown). That is, the inlet conduitbody first end 56 preferably includes threads or another such hosecoupling device. The inlet conduit body second end 58 is sized to fitwithin the basket assembly conduit inlet end 46. The inlet conduit bodysecond end 58 further includes at least one, and preferably two, O-ringgrooves 62, 64. An O-ring 66, 68 is disposed in each O-ring groove 62,64.

As shown in FIGS. 3 and 4, the clip assembly 54 includes an elongatedbody 70 and a shroud assembly 80. The clip assembly body 70 has a firstend 72, a pivot point 74, a clip structure 76, and a second end 78.Preferably, the pivot point 74 is disposed at, or adjacent to, the clipassembly body first end 72. The clip assembly body 70 is pivotallycoupled to the hose reel frame assembly 12 and, more specifically, theclip assembly body 70 is pivotally coupled to the shroud assembly 80.The clip structure 76, as shown, includes a pair of elongated, spaced,flexible fingers 77A, 77B that act as a retaining member 75. To resistaxial movement of the inlet conduit body 52 the retaining member 75 isstructured to be disposed in the inlet conduit assembly retaining clipgroove 60. Thus the retaining member 75 could be a single finger 77A ora similar structure. When a pair of elongated, spaced, flexible fingers77A, 77B, or an equivalent retaining member 75, are used, the fingers77A, 77B are spaced apart from each other a distance about the same asthe diameter of the inlet conduit body 52 at the inlet conduit bodyretaining clip groove 60. Thus, the clip structure 76 is structured toengage, that is, fit snugly about, the inlet conduit body retaining clipgroove 60. Further, the clip assembly body 70 is structured to movewithin a plane. The fingers 77A, 77B extend generally within the clipassembly body 70 plane of motion. Further, the clip assembly body 70preferably includes a thumb tab 79 or a similar actuator. The thumb tab79 is preferably disposed at, or adjacent to, the clip assembly bodysecond end 78, or otherwise generally on the opposite side of the clipassembly body 70 from the clip assembly pivot point 74. The thumb tab 79is a ridge or extension that extends out of the clip assembly body 70plane of motion.

The shroud assembly 80 may be formed integrally with, that is, molded aspart of, the frame assembly 12 or as a separate assembly as shown.Regardless of whether the shroud assembly 80 is integral or separate,the shroud assembly 80 includes a generally planar body 82 with a frontside 84, a back side 86, an opening 88 and a generally tubular extension90. The shroud assembly body 82 is structured to be coupled to the frameassembly 12 adjacent to the basket assembly conduit inlet end 46 and,more preferably, with the axis of the tubular extension 90 aligned withthe basket assembly body 40 axis of rotation. The tubular extension 90extends from the shroud body back side 86 and aligned and in fluidcommunication with the shroud body opening 88. The tubular extension 90includes at least one, and in the disclosed embodiment, two clipstructure passages 92. The tubular extension clip structure passages 92are structured to allow the clip structure 76, that is the fingers 77A,77B, to pass through the tubular extension 90. The shroud assembly body82 also includes a stop member 94 which is disposed generally oppositethe location where the clip assembly body 70 is pivotally coupled to theshroud assembly body 82, as described below. The shroud assembly body 82may include a notch 96, or similar opening, structured to allow thethumb tab 79 to extend outwardly therefrom as described below.

The inlet conduit assembly 50 is assembled as follows. The clip assemblybody 70 is pivotally coupled to the shroud assembly body 82. Preferably,the clip assembly body first end 72 is pivotally coupled to the shroudassembly body back side 86. The clip assembly body 70 travels in a planealigned with the tubular extension clip structure passages 92. In thisconfiguration, the clip assembly body 70 may pivot relative to theshroud assembly body 82 and move the fingers 77A, 77B through thetubular extension clip structure passages 92. When the fingers 77A, 77Bare disposed through the tubular extension clip structure passages 92,the clip assembly body second end 78 contacts the shroud assembly bodystop member 94. Further, the thumb tab 79 extends, typically through theshroud assembly body notch 96, outwardly beyond the shroud assembly bodyfront side 84.

The shroud assembly 80 is then coupled to the frame assembly 12.Preferably, the shroud assembly 80 is adjacent to the basket assemblyconduit inlet end 46 and, more preferably, with the axis of the tubularextension 90 aligned with the basket assembly body 40 axis of rotation.The tubular extension 90 may be sized to fit about the basket assemblyconduit body axially extending portion 49 and may be disposed about thebasket assembly conduit inlet end 46. The shroud assembly 80 may becoupled to the frame assembly by fasteners 100, a clip structure (notshown), or any other common means.

In this configuration, the inlet conduit body 52 may be removablyinstalled as follows. The clip assembly body 70 is pivoted to a firstposition, wherein the clip structure 76 does not engage the inletconduit body retaining clip groove 60 and does not extend through thetubular extension clip structure passages 92. The inlet conduit bodysecond end 58 is passed through the shroud assembly body opening 88 andthe tubular extension 90. The inlet conduit second end 58 then engages,that is, moves into the basket assembly conduit inlet end 46 and ispivotally coupled thereto. At this point, the inlet conduit second end58 is partially disposed in the basket assembly conduit body axiallyextending portion 49 and the O-rings 66, 68 sealingly engage the inletconduit second end 58. Thus, a fluid passage exists from outside theframe assembly 12, through the inlet conduit body 52, through the basketassembly conduit 36, to the outer side of the barrel 30.

However, to maintain the inlet conduit body 52 in this position, theinlet conduit body 52 must be prevented from moving axially. The inletconduit body 52 is prevented from moving axially by the clip assembly54. That is, when the inlet conduit body 52 is fully installed, theinlet conduit body retaining clip groove 60 is disposed, generally,within the clip assembly body 70 plane of motion. Thus, the clipassembly body 70 may be moved to a second position wherein the clipstructure 76 engages the inlet conduit body retaining clip groove 60.That is, the clip assembly body 70 is pivoted about the pivot point 74until the fingers 77A, 77B pass through the tubular extension clipstructure passages 92 and engage the inlet conduit body retaining clipgroove 60. It is noted that the stop member 94 contacts the clipassembly body second end 78 when the clip assembly body 70 is in thesecond position. In this configuration, the inlet conduit body 52 is,essentially, prevented from moving axially.

Removal of the inlet conduit body 52 is accomplished by returning theclip assembly body 70 to the first position and pulling the inletconduit body 52 axially until the inlet conduit body 52 has moved out ofthe shroud assembly 80. It is noted that the movement of the clipassembly body 70 is accomplished easily by a user who engages the thumbtab 79 by hand. That is, there are no tools required to install orremove the inlet conduit body 52 and to move the clip structure 76 into,or from, engagement with the inlet conduit body 52. It is further notedthat because the shroud assembly 80 is coupled to the outer side of theframe assembly 12, the thumb tab 79 is easily accessed. That is, a userdoes not have to remove components of the frame assembly 12 or thebasket assembly 14 in order to access the clip structure 76.

While specific embodiments of the invention have been described indetail, it will be appreciated by those skilled in the art that variousmodifications and alternatives to those details could be developed inlight of the overall teachings of the disclosure. For example, as setforth above, the inlet conduit second end 58 is disposed within thebasket assembly conduit inlet end 46 and the O-rings 66, 68 are disposedon the outer side of the inlet conduit second end 58. It is understoodthat such an arrangement could be configured with the O-rings 66, 68disposed about the basket assembly conduit inlet end 46 and the basketassembly conduit inlet end 46 could be structured to fit inside theinlet conduit second end 58. Accordingly, the particular arrangementsdisclosed are meant to be illustrative only and not limiting as to thescope of invention which is to be given the full breadth of the claimsappended and any and all equivalents thereof.

1. An inlet conduit assembly for a hose reel assembly, said hose reelassembly having a frame assembly and a basket assembly, said frameassembly having an inner side and an outer side, said frame assemblystructured to support said basket assembly, said basket assemblystructured to support a hose and having a basket body with an outersurface and a lateral side, a basket assembly conduit having an inletend and an outlet end and extending within said basket body, said basketassembly conduit inlet end disposed at said basket body lateral side andsaid basket assembly conduit outlet end disposed at said basket bodyouter surface, said inlet assembly comprising: a generally cylindrical,elongated body with first end, a second end, and a retaining clip grooveextending at least partially circumferentially about said inlet conduitbody, said inlet conduit second end sized to fit within said basketassembly conduit inlet end; a clip assembly including an elongated bodyhaving a first end, a pivot point, a clip structure, and a second end;said clip assembly body pivotally coupled to said hose reel assemblyframe assembly adjacent to said basket assembly conduit inlet end andstructured to pivot in a plane of motion, said clip assembly bodyaccessible from said frame assembly outer side; wherein, when said inletconduit body second end is pivotally coupled with said basket assemblyconduit inlet end, said clip assembly body is structured to pivot in aplane aligned with said inlet conduit body retaining clip groove; andwherein said clip assembly body moves between a first position, whereinsaid clip structure does not engage said inlet conduit body retainingclip groove, and a second position, wherein said clip structure engagessaid inlet conduit body retaining clip groove.
 2. The inlet conduitassembly of claim 1 wherein said clip structure includes a retainingmember structured to be disposed in said inlet conduit body retainingclip groove.
 3. The inlet conduit assembly of claim 2 wherein said clipstructure retaining member extends in a plane parallel to the plane ofmotion of said clip assembly body.
 4. The inlet conduit assembly ofclaim 2 wherein said clip structure retaining member extends in theplane of motion of said clip assembly body.
 5. The inlet conduitassembly of claim 2 wherein: said clip assembly includes a shroudassembly, said shroud assembly having a generally planar body with afront side, a back side, and an opening; said clip assembly body firstend pivotally coupled to said shroud assembly body; and said shroud bodycoupled to said hose reel assembly frame assembly.
 6. The inlet conduitassembly of claim 5 wherein: said shroud assembly includes a generallytubular extension; said tubular extension extending from said shroudbody back side and aligned with said shroud body opening; said tubularextension having at least one clip structure passage; and said shroudassembly tubular extension is sized to be disposed about said inletconduit body.
 7. The inlet conduit assembly of claim 5 wherein saidshroud assembly body includes a stop member, said stop member structuredto contact said clip assembly body second end when said clip assemblybody is in said second position.
 8. The inlet conduit assembly of claim7 wherein said clip assembly body second end includes a thumb tab, saidthumb tab structured to extend above said shroud assembly body.
 9. Theinlet conduit assembly of claim 8 wherein said shroud assembly iscoupled to said frame assembly outer side.
 10. The inlet conduitassembly of claim 5 wherein said shroud assembly is coupled to saidframe assembly outer side.
 11. A hose reel assembly comprising: a frameassembly and a basket assembly; said frame assembly having an inner sideand an outer side, said frame assembly structured to support said basketassembly; said basket assembly structured to support a hose and having abasket body with an outer surface, a lateral side, and an inlet conduitassembly; a basket assembly conduit having an inlet end and an outletend, said basket assembly conduit inlet end disposed at said basket bodylateral side and said basket assembly conduit outlet end disposed atsaid basket body outer surface; said inlet conduit assembly including aninlet conduit body and a clip assembly; said inlet conduit body being agenerally cylindrical, elongated body with first end, a second end, anda retaining clip groove extending at least partially circumferentiallyabout said inlet conduit body, said inlet conduit second end sized tofit within said basket assembly conduit inlet end; said clip assemblyincluding an elongated body having a first end, a pivot point, a clipstructure, and a second end; said clip assembly body pivotally coupledto said hose reel assembly frame assembly adjacent to said basketassembly conduit inlet end and structured to pivot in a plane of motion,said clip assembly body be accessible from said frame assembly outerside; wherein, when said inlet conduit body second end is pivotallycoupled with said basket assembly conduit inlet end, said clip assemblybody is structured to pivot in a plane aligned with said inlet conduitbody retaining clip groove; and wherein said clip assembly body movesbetween a first position, wherein said clip structure does not engagesaid inlet conduit body retaining clip groove, and a second position,wherein said clip structure engages said inlet conduit body retainingclip groove.
 12. The hose reel assembly of claim 11 wherein said clipstructure includes a retaining member structured to be disposed in saidinlet conduit body retaining clip groove.
 13. The hose reel assembly ofclaim 12 wherein said clip structure retaining member extends in a planeparallel to the plane of motion of said clip assembly body.
 14. The hosereel assembly of claim 12 wherein said clip structure retaining memberextends in the plane of motion of said clip assembly body.
 15. The hosereel assembly of claim 12 wherein: said clip assembly includes a shroudassembly, said shroud assembly having a generally planar body with afront side, a back side, and an opening; said clip assembly body firstend pivotally coupled to said shroud assembly body; and said shroudassembly body coupled to said hose reel assembly frame assembly.
 16. Thehose reel assembly of claim 15 wherein: said shroud assembly includes agenerally tubular extension; said tubular extension extending from saidshroud body back side and aligned with said shroud body opening; saidtubular extension having at least one clip structure passage; and saidshroud assembly tubular extension is sized to be disposed about saidinlet conduit body.
 17. The hose reel assembly of claim 15 wherein saidshroud assembly body includes a stop member, said stop member structuredto contact said clip assembly body second end when said clip assemblybody is in said second position.
 18. The hose reel assembly of claim 17wherein said clip assembly body second end includes a thumb tab, saidthumb tab structured to extend above said shroud assembly body.
 19. Thehose reel assembly of claim 18 wherein said shroud assembly is coupledto said frame assembly outer side.
 20. The hose reel assembly of claim15 wherein said shroud assembly is coupled to said frame assembly outerside.